3-0: SEVILLA FC FALL IN THE COPA DEL REY SEMI-FINAL

03/03/2021

Ocampos missed a penalty with the score at 1-0 with 15 minutes to go and Fernando was sent off for a second booking just before 90 minutes

It was a complicated first-half for Sevilla FC who had to watch on as FC Barcelona easily brought the ball high into their half and controlled the game. The first moments of the game were played in Barcelona's half, but after that Ronald Koeman's men set up camp near Vaclík's goal. Dembelé sent a warning in the fifth minute with a shot that went over, while Busquets would fire a shot that was not much of a problem for the Czech goalkeeper. Vaclík would be called into more impressive work later to deny Lenglet after a corner. But Barcelona's siege was relentless and a goal would come in the twelfth minute with a right-footed shot from Dembelé that went into the top right-hand corner of the Sevilla goal.

Acuña kept out a second goal when he cleared off the line from Messi

Sevilla tried to break out periodically with counter-attacks. After 15 minutes, they launched one which ended with a tame shot from Aleix Vidal. Shortly after, Jordán would have a shot after a nicely worked counter which went out for a corner. Barcelona, already a goal away from levelling the tie up, returned to the offensive. Just after 30 minutes, Acuña saved Sevilla from conceding a second by clearing off the line after good play from Lionel Messi. Just before half-time, En-Nesyri saw a header saved by Ter Stegen following a cross from Acuña.

Sevilla started the second-half more positively as they pushed into Barcelona's half and looked to hold onto the ball. The Nervionenses were set up well to avoid counters and closed spaces off for the Catalans. However, a few minutes after the restart Aleix Vidal, who was having an excellent game on the right, picked up an injury and had to come off. Lopetegui used the opportunity to make a triple change, also bringing Acuña off who had just come back after many weeks out following a hamstring injury. Mingueza got down the right wing and found Jordi Alba in the box, but his volley rocketed against the post.

Piqué equalised in the last minute after Ocampos had missed a penalty

Ocampos came onto the pitch, his first appearance since injuring his ankle against Getafe CF. The Argentine, only a few minutes later, would unfortunately become the centre of attention with 15 minutes to go. En-Nesyri did well in a one-on-one against Piqué and played it out to Ocampos who was fouled by Mingueza in the box as the referee pointed to the spot. Ocampos, Sevilla's usual penalty taker, took hold of the ball as usual but this time he would miss as Ter Stegen guessed right and dove to his right. The team would have to withstand another siege from a rejuvenated Barcelona who would have needed to score three if Ocampos had have scored. With the siege seemingly withstood, the blow would come. Fernando was sent off for a second yellow card and, with the last kick of the ball, Piqué would head home a Griezmann cross.

EXTRA TIME

The moral blow was devastating for Sevilla who were seconds away from the final. Extra-time started with Barcelona on the front foot with the psychological and numerical advantage. Shortly after the restart, Jordi Alba crossed in from the left and found Braithwaite who headed beyond Vaclík to complete the turnaround. The goalkeeper would be back in action to keep a free-kick out from Messi.

Sevilla FC contested the second half of extra time with their heart as they desperately tried to find a goal despite their physical exhaustion. Koundé fired in a strong shot at goal but it was straight at Ter Stegen. The minutes went by and Sevilla miss out on the dream final in Seville.

GAME SUMMARY

3. FC BARCELONA: Ter Stegen, Mingueza (Junior, 77'), Piqué, Lenglet, Dest (Griezmann, 62'), Jordi Alba, Busquets (Ilaix, 77'), De Jong, Pedri (Braithwaite, 88'), Dembele (Trincao, 88') and Messi.

0. SEVILLA FC: Vaclík, Aleix Vidal (Jesús Navas, 52'), Koundé, Diego Carlos, Acuña (Rekik, 52'), Fernando, Jordán (Munir, 105'), Óliver Torres (Ocampos, 61'), Suso (Papu Gómez, 78'), En-Nesyri and De Jong (Rakitic, 52').

GOALS: 1-0 Dembelé, 12'. 2-0 Piqué, 90+3'. 3-0 Braithwaite, 95'.

REFEREE: Sánchez Martínez. Yellows for Mingueza, Jordán, Koundé, En-Nesyri, and Trincao. Reds for De Jong and Fernando.